Trial of Marissa Alexander delayed until July

In this January 10, 2014 photo, Marissa Alexander stands outside the Duval County Courthouse with her lawyer Bruce Zimet during a press conference after she remained released on bond after the hearing.

The trial of Marissa Alexander has been delayed until the end of July.

Circuit Judge James Daniel granted a defense motion Thursday to delay the trial that was scheduled to begin March 31. The first day of the trial will now be July 28.

Alexander, 33, is out on bond while awaiting a new trial on charges of firing a gun at her estranged husband and his two children. She is charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Attorney Bruce Zimet said he needed more time to prepare. The delay was allowed over the objections of the office of State Attorney Angela Corey.

Daniel originally agreed with the prosecution and said he needed more information before he could grant an extension. Zimet responded by saying he is bringing in multiple experts to testify on Alexander’s behalf, and more time is needed to do research and conduct interviews.

One person is an expert on spousal abuse. Alexander told investigators her estranged husband, Rico Gray, repeatedly beat her and was attacking her when she fired the shot in his direction.

Another expert witness is examining Gray. Zimet didn’t say who the experts were.

The defense team also plans to depose Gray and one of his children again to quiz them about inconsistencies in their stories. The defense will be making a motion arguing that Florida’s 10-20-Life law violates the 8th-Amendment provision against cruel and unusual punishment, Zimet said.

After hearing Zimet’s explanation, Daniel agreed to the continuance but warned both sides that he would not grant another delay.

Alexander’s case drew national attention after she was denied immunity under the state’s Stand Your Ground law and sentenced to a mandatory 20 years in prison under the 10-20-Life statutes for discharging a firearm during certain felonies.

The conviction was thrown out after the 1st District Court of Appeal ruled that Daniel made a mistake in shifting the burden to Alexander to prove she was acting in self-defense. During jury instructions, Daniel said she must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she was battered by her husband.